Tension apparatus for fence-wire



(No Model.)

J. M. OVERPEOK, 0. D. SHANK & L. A. GUSSINS.

TENSION APPARATUS FOR FENCE WIRE.

No. 338,6 10. Patented Mar. 23, 1886.

Ai'IlW WITNESSES 0 96, W wax 1 0w flttorney UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN M. OVERPEOK, OBEY D. SHANK, AND LUOIAN A. OUSSINS, OF NEW rams,

OHIO.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 338,610, dated March 23, 1886.

Application filed April 20, 1885. Serial No. 162,727. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, J OHN M. OVERPECK, OBEY D. SHANK, and LUCIAN A. CUssINs, citizens of the United States, residing at New Paris, in the county of Preble and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Tension Apparatus for Fence-Wire; and we do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to certain improvements in wire-stretchers to be employed in the construction of that class of fences in which the pickets are secured between strands of wire which are twisted in the spaces between the pickets, aud it has for its objects to provide a cheap and efficient device, whereby the proper tension may be maintained while the wire is being twisted in setting up the fence, as more fully hereinafter specified. These objects we attain by the means illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 represents an elevation of a fence in process of construction, showing my improved device in position. Fig. 2 represents a vertical sectional view of my improved device. Fig. 3 represents an end view of the frame, taken on the line 00 x of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a horizontal sectional view taken through the rectangular frame on the line y y of Fig. 1.

The letter A represents an upright rectangular frame, which for convenience and cheapness is preferably constructed of wood, although other material may be employed.

At suitable intervals corresponding to the number of wires employed, and their distance from each other, are arranged a series of cross-beams, B, which are journaled at their ends in bearings in the side of the frame so that they may be turned freely. Through the said beams and secured rigidly therein extend the levers O, which are perforated at D, for the passage of the wires E. The opposite sides of the frame are provided with apertures F, through which the said wires also pass.

The letter G indicates a series of stop-bars which are passed through apertures H in opposite sides of the frame near the front, to hold the levers when necessary, as more fully hereinafter explained.

In constructing the fence the device is se- 5 cured in position, as shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings, and the wires extending from oiie side are passed through the frame from suitable reels and through the levers to the opposite side of the frame, from which they are extended to the stationary post N, which is driven in the ground, the ends of the wires being fastened to said post. The wires are then tightened by turning the levers and locking them in position by means of the stop-bars G. The wires are then twisted for a short distance and one of the pickets inserted, after which they are again twisted for a similar distance and the next picket inserted, which operation is continued until the fence is completed. The wires may be twisted by means of a suitable wrench or any other convenient tool. Vhen a certain amount of the fence is completed the device may be moved further on, if necessary, and the worlg 7 5 continued.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The combination, with the upright verti- 8c cal frame perforated for the passage of the wires, of the cross-beams journaled therein, the perforated levers carried by said beams and the stop-bars, the parts being constructed and arranged to operate substantially as specified.

2. A tension apparatus for fence-wire, composed of the frame A, having apertures F F, cross-beams B, journaled in said frame, levers 0, carried by said beams, and provided with 9( holes D and means for locking said levers, substantially as and for the purposes specified.-

In testimony whereof we affix our signatures in presence of two witnesses.

JOHN M. OVERPEGK. OBEY D. SHANK. LUOIAN A. OUSSINS. Witnesses:

B. E. BIcHEY, L. \V. BIcHEY. 

